ABSTRACT
One important aspect of the complex roles of the social worker when working with children is the quality of relationship which he is able to offer a child client. How to get to know and understand the child is often a worrying preoccupation, especially as major decisions have often to be made on his behalf. Many professionals in contact with deprived or distressed children have frequent opportunities to offer a child this ‘mental space’ and the experience of being attended to, remembered and valued. An opportunity to do just this is illustrated by the description of a visit arranged to introduce author (then a social worker in an area team) to a foster-mother and two children. The tasks and roles of social workers working with children and their caretakers are multiple and complex.
